Stagering Misinformation......
POPPYCOCK!
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BluesBear The amount of misinformation in this thread is staggering.
No matter what the vintage, any factory produced .38 Special +P ammo, produced within SAAMI specifications, will most certainly NOT blow up a steel cylindered S&W revolver.
SAAMI maximum specification for .38 +P ammo isn't all that much above standard loadings and it's well below proof pressures.
Anything that will blow up a Model 37 will also blow up a Model 36 since they both use the exact same cylinder.
Extensive use of +P ammo in the older J-frame guns CAN possibly result in frame stretching and the resulting end-shake. But it will NOT magically transform your Model 37 from a hand gun into a hand grenade.
Now if you happen to have one of the ultra rare US Military "Aircrewman" revolvers with an aluminium cylinder then even midrange wadcutter ammunition might blow up your gun. They are not safe to fire with any ammunition.
Which is why the government ordered all of them destroyed.
And IF you happen to have one of the ultra rare US Military "Aircrewman" revolvers with an aluminium cylinder, there will be S&W collectors lining up to give you enough money for it to buy just about one of every J-frame S&W currently makes.
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Hello
In response to the Stated "Stagering Misinformation" above,
Let's see what the Professionals say about all This /QUOTED/ Popycock..
All Below Information is Printed in Mr. Roy Jinks Book Entitled, The History Of
Smith & Wessson, Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition, and Quoted to Educate.
Mr. Jinks is the Smith & Wesson Factory Historian, Who I have learned Much
And Base most of my information from. He is my direct source, and Knows
More than any person I have met, on any Smith & Wesson Subject. Here is
What he said, and Wrote about the Model 37 Air-Weight revolver in his Book.
The Model 37 Air-Weight was Released in the fall of 1952, as an ALL aluminum
Revolver, only leaving the Yoke, Barrel & Lock work Steel, Leaving the total weight
at 10-3/4 Ounces. This revolver was NEVER designed for the Military, it was
Targeted toward Plain clothes Detectives. A Grand total of "4" Sample Model
37 Airweight's were Sent to The United Sates Air-Force for their Evaluation.
In their Final evaluation of this model 37 Air-Weight -J-frame, The United
States Air Force, "CHOSE" the Larger frame S&W "K" Frame Revolver Known
As The Military & Police Model "12". They Picked this Completely DIFFERENT
And THIS revolver was called The Air-Weight Crewman.
To shoot with it's Larger frame size. All "4" Of the sample model 37 -J- Frame
Revolver's were sent back to S&W and "NONE" of the Model 37's were "EVER"
Destroyed, the Factory STILL has an open service policy to REPLACE any
Model 37 Air-Weight-J-Frame revolver cylinder, with a carbon steel one to
This Day. The Original Chief's Special Air-Weight was designed to Fire "ONLY"
The .38 Special Standard Velocity cartridge. The USE of High pressure Ammo
Was NOT recommended, Since handgun Damage Could Occur. The Factory
Also Found that even with Standard Ammo was so Violent, That on occasion
It would UNSEAT the Bullets from Unfired Ammo, and Jam The cylinder,
Preventing it from Cycling. To reduce this, The Charge Holes were reduced
As well. It was a Full two Year's AFTER The introduction of the model 37
That S&W Decided to Cease using the All Aluminum Cylinder in this Revolver.
From January 13, 1954 Forward, ALL Model 37's released would NOW have
The Carbon steel cylinder installed, Bringing The Grand total of ALL Model
37's released by S&W to 3,777 Units. Current auction prices reflect a sharp
Increase to collector demand for this number of 3777 revolver's that were
NEVER destroyed, but HARDLY sharp enough to Cover the cost off all made
Today. It should also be noted if one has a model 37 all aluminum cylinder
revolver, That S&W recommends they be sent back for the New Steel cylinder
Improvement, by calling them and this will be done Free of Charge. The Model
"12" M&P Aircrewman as it is called, is NOT a -J-frame but a "K" frame and
This was the Revolver that the Government ordered Destroyed. Not The Model
37 Airweight THEY ARE Totally "DIFFERENT" Revolver's
Regards
Hammerdown.